Animal Rescue Mission in Ecuador

Intervention against natural disasters

Natural disasters are quite common in Ecuador. Again and again there are earthquakes and the active volcanos erupt. Whereas there are rescue and evacuation plans for people, many animals are left to their own devices in emergencies. Welttierschutzgesellschaft supports the Ecuadorian animal welfare organisation Protección Animal Ecuador (PAE) in caring for domestic and farm animals in the areas hit by disaster and in the implementation of measures to protect the animals sustainably

Collapsed buildings, fallen down bridges, no supply with water and electricity. Hundreds, nay thousands of people lose their lives, when natural disasters erase whole villages or bury them under masses of lava. Those who survive are traumatized by what has happened.

ALSO THE ANIMALS ARE IN BAD NEED OF HELP

The aim of our mission is to help animals: Dogs and cats wander the streets without orientation, and so do goats, cattle and other “farm” animals, nobody takes responsibility for in these emergencies. Many animals have injuries, and due to the heavy pollution of the air their eyes are badly hurt, they are dehydrated, suffering from thirst and hunger.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES SAVE ANIMAL LIVES

Preventive measures and thorough preparation can prevent animal suffering. Our partners are experienced in the cooperation with the local authorities and in the guidance of pet and livestock owners with regard of protecting animals. Thus even before a disaster happens they give important advice for survival, that can make the difference between life and death when it comes to the worst.

For example: The volcano Tungurahua is one of four active volcanos in Ecuador. With some regularity its activity is increased and then pieces of rock are ejected and kilometre high ash clouds rise into the sky. The canton Penipe in the Chimborazo province is the one which is exposed most to dense ash clouds and the ensuing rain of ashes. With dust masks and goggles people protect themselves as good as they can and in the worst case they even leave their villages temporarily. But for most of the animals in that area there is no protection and no plan for evacuation.

AN EVACUATION PLAN FOR ALL ANIMALS

Welttierschutzgesellschaft and Protección Animal Ecuador have the common aim to realize a plan for sustainable protection of these animals. Whereas pets have already been included in the plans for evacuation by the local authorities and are rescued together with their guardians, farm animals and stray dogs and cats have not been considered so far. Our aim is to establish a catalogue for emergencies – including evacuation plan – which includes all animals and which will be binding for the local authorities.

Furthermore in an awareness raising campaign the team advises animal owners how to take precautions against strong rains of ashes. For example by building shelters can the animals be protected from eating soiled grass and water, as food and water contaminated by ashes can lead to serious problems in the animals’ digestive systems.

Until these preventive measures will have been adopted by the population and by the local authorities, our partners will be there to help. They do everything they can to look after the animals and to provide them with clean food and water.

Help us to care for the animals hit by disasters and to help people to help themselves in looking.